Venezuela and Algeria Strengthen Bilateral Energy Cooperation

Rodríguez emphasized that the discussion was fundamental for reviewing “common issues” within the framework of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Nov, 1, 2024 Photo: @Carocarolina81

November 1, 2024 Hour: 9:13 pm

Both officials discussed the collaboration they maintain in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), underscoring that relations between Venezuela and Algeria are based on comprehensive cooperation in the oil and gas sectors.

Venezuela’s Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, announced this Friday that Nicolás Maduro’s government is committed to “deepening the strategic route of energy cooperation” with Algeria. During her visit to Algiers, Rodríguez, who also serves as Minister of Oil, met with the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mining, Mohamed Arkas.

Although no concrete agreements were revealed following the meeting, Rodríguez emphasized that the discussion was fundamental for reviewing “common issues” within the framework of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Vice President arrived in Algeria on Thursday and stated that local authorities “reaffirmed their commitment to work together to face global economic and geopolitical challenges.” This meeting comes shortly after President Maduro made a technical stop in Algeria after attending the BRICS summit in Russia.

In 2023, both countries signed a dozen cooperation agreements to “strengthen exchanges” in various areas such as economy, trade, tourism, culture, science, and agriculture, in addition to addressing the “need to preserve food security,” according to the Venezuelan government.

Before her visit to Algeria, Rodríguez was also in Vietnam, where she met with high-ranking officials of the Vietnamese government, and in India, where she spoke with the Minister of Petroleum, Hardeep Singh Puri, about potential Indian investments in Venezuela, particularly in the area of oil exploration and production.

This strengthening of bilateral cooperation reflects both countries’ interest in consolidating a strategic alliance in an international context marked by economic and energy challenges.